Eisenhower Medical Center Diabetes Program Staff (from left to right): Kris Moore, RD, CDE, Judy Tidwell, Barbara Scheurer, Marielena Cid, RN, CDE, Alma Gutierrez, RN, CDE, Robert Buskas, President–EMC Desert Diabetes Club

The largest educational and inspirational event of its kind in the western United States, the 16th annual Jim Cook Day of Hope for Diabetes® will be held Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower Medical Center.

The public is invited to this free event, sponsored by Eisenhower Medical Center and the Desert Diabetes Club. The Jim Cook Day of Hope for Diabetes®, including a product fair to showcase the latest technology and treatments for diabetes, will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Melinda Read, popular television personality and spokesperson for Jim Cook Day of Hope for Diabetes®, will emcee the day’s events. A former Mrs. California International, Ms. Read has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 50 years. She is the host and executive producer of Talk of the Desert on Time Warner Cable channel 111. “Knowledge is power,” says Ms. Read, “and A Day of Hope will provide all attendees with important information about diabetes.”

Denise Faustman, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, will deliver the keynote presentation End Stage Diabetes–From Mice to Human Trials. Currently, Dr. Faustman is working to cure autoimmune diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes, by trying to stop the body from attacking itself and by studying how the destroyed organs re-grow. Dr. Faustman has published more than 100 scientific papers in internationally-recognized journals and her work has been highlighted in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Scientific American.

Experts from Eisenhower Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and prestigious medical centers from around the country will speak on the latest research and information on various diabetes-related topics. Free screenings of the heart, eyes and feet will be available for all attendees.

Crowds gather at last year’s presentation

Designed to educate all Coachella Valley residents about diabetes, the Desert Diabetes Club meets each month (October through May) at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower. With a tax-deductible membership of $25, members receive vital information about diabetes and improving their quality of life through lectures by diabetes professionals. Social and support events are also planned throughout the season.

For more information about the Jim Cook Day of Hope for Diabetes® or the Desert Diabetes Club, please call 760-773-1578.

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